The first time is never forgotten and this can also be true when it comes to the debut riding a MotoGP. Last week, Marco Bezzecchi at Jerez de la Frontera enjoyed his first contact with the Ducati Desmosedici GP in the 2021 version that he will ride next season.
A very prudent approach that of the rider from Romagna, who preferred not to exaggerate to seek performance for their own sake, focusing instead on understanding the Borgo Panigale racing car and a much more complex work system than what he was used to in Moto2.
Therefore, the 25th time with a gap of 2 “4 from the summit at the end of the two Andalusian days should not worry. On the contrary, we must be satisfied with the improvement shown on Friday, passing from 1’40” 732 to 1 ‘ 39 “312 made 24 hours later. A clear sign that” Bez “is learning and is already able to put to good use what he learns.
“It went well, in the sense that I didn’t know what to expect. I knew the bike was going strong, but it was hard to imagine how long. But I’m very happy with how it went. I met many people who work for Ducati and also with the team we started to work and it was a start for everyone. In the end, even Matteo (Flamigni) made the transition from telemetry to technical chief “, said Bezzecchi at the end of the second day.
“In MotoGP, the amount of work is much greater, but I am very happy: I take home a lot of fun on the bike, which is the fundamental thing. A lot of adrenaline, because the bike is really scary. On the second day I did the tests. of departure and I must say that it starts like a shot. Now I more or less know what I have to do during the winter to get ready for next year “.
Regarding performance, he added: “I didn’t take any risks looking for a time that wouldn’t have a great meaning in the end. The most important thing was to do as many laps as possible and find the feeling with the bike, also trying to have fun.”
From a physical point of view, this first outing was quite demanding, even if according to the driver of the Team VR46 it was not a question of poor preparation, but of adaptation, which in these cases is inevitable.
“I have a little bit of back pain, but only because the riding position is very different from that of the Moto2, so it’s not a pain due to too much effort. I just need a little more time to allow my body to adapt to this position. Then I also have a bit of discomfort with the finger that is used to activate the rear brake, because you have to push really hard “.
Within the Ducati world there are also two companions of the VR46 Riders Academy, the reigning vice-champion of the world Francesco Bagnaia and his neighbor Luca Marini, who will surely prove to be a precious help for a rookie like Marco.
“There is no need to press them, because if I need a hand there are always both Pecco and Luca. Even in these days at the end we have often talked, especially in the evening, that we went to eat together. Right now, due to the difference in level that exists between me and them, they can tell me anything, but it is not so easy to put it into practice, because there is still an important step to take “.
“But I am happy with the work I have done for now. Looking at the data, compared to Luca, it is obvious that there is a bit of difference, because I took about a second. But I was very satisfied with how I managed to drive on the second day “.
Among other things, Bagnaia was able to observe him on the track, saying he was surprised above all by the speed with which Bezzecchi was able to adapt to the braking required by a MotoGP and in particular by the Desmosedici GP.
“Ducati has braking among its strong points, so let’s say it was a suitably not easy, but nice one. The carbon brakes were a bit of a struggle at the beginning, but I have to say that I felt good. I need a little more confidence on the front to make the bike turn. You have to trust that and I’m still taking it a bit with the pliers. But I’m happy. “
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